Young athletes shine at awards ceremony held at Talacre sports centre

SOME of the borough’s brightest young athletes stepped back into the limelight when they were honoured during a special awards ceremony at the Talacre sports centre in Kentish Town.

There was rapturous applause as youngsters were rewarded for their efforts in the London Youth Games, the London Mini Games and Camden’s School and Community Games last Wednesday.

The celebrations kicked off with archer Ben Humphries and fencers Jack Horrix and Rubin Amsalem being presented with Talent Grants and training memberships to all Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) facilities. Overall GLL, SportsAid, the Camden Sports Council and Camden Council handed out 27 grants.

The ceremony then switched to the London Youth Games and the London Mini Games, where the combined efforts of more than 400 athletes helped Camden finish 19th out of the capital’s 33 boroughs.

Sophia Parvizi-Wayne was first on stage to collect the Outstanding Girl Award after winning gold in the indoor rowing event. The Outstanding Boy Award was presented to Luke Apata, who overcame injury to win gold in the vault and an overall bronze medal in the main gymnastics competition.

The Outstanding Girls’ Team Award went to Swiss Cottage School, who won bronze in the disability ­football, while the Outstanding Boys’ Team Award was collected by Shane Cojocarel and Taofiq Olomowewe on behalf of Camden’s football team.

James Slade helped the aquathlon team win the Outstanding Team Award in the main games after winning gold in his Year 8 boys’ race by an amazing 12 seconds.

Meanwhile the Outstanding Team Award in the mini games went to the boccia team from Swiss Cottage School who scooped a silver medal.

Recognising the work done behind the scenes, Gill Muir from Swiss Cottage Swimming Club was named the Outstanding Team Manager, while David McCarthy, fondly known as grandad, won the Outstanding Volunteer Award for the ongoing support he has shown the mini games’ hockey team. Pupils from Camden School for Girls were also presented with a top award as they collected the Mayor’s Fair Play Trophy.

The final presentations of the night was for the School and Community Games, one of Camden’s three Olympic Legacy projects.

Aimed at rewarding athletes for their participation and achievement in school competitions. 15 schools picked up awards, including Gospel Oak, William Ellis and Camden School for Girls.